The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold two elections in 2025 after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that postponing and rescheduling the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) was unconstitutional, the poll body’s chairperson George Erwin Garcia said on Thursday.
During the Laging Handa public briefing, Garcia said Comelec needs to speed up its preparations because the midterm elections are also scheduled for May 2025.
“Comelec has to prepare double time because we will conduct two elections in 2025: the May 2025 national and local elections which are automated, and the December 2025 barangay and SK elections ordered by the Supreme Court,” Garcia said.
The Supreme Court declared Republic Act No. 11935, which postponed the BSKE unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the next BSKE will be held on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years thereafter.
The Court found that RA 11935 violated the freedom of suffrage because it did not meet the requirements of the substantive aspect of the due process clause of the Constitution.
“The Supreme Court acknowledges the substantial efforts made by COMELEC, the allocation of public funds, and the procurement of necessary equipment for the scheduled October elections. Based on the ‘operative fact’ doctrine, the elections will take place as planned,” Garcia said.
Garcia said that the preparations for the upcoming elections will not be affected by the Supreme Court’s decision.
The polling body’s chairperson assured the public that the voter’s list, set to be released in August, will be free from inaccuracies.
“The updated voter’s list, to be released in August, will be accurate and reflective of current registrations. We have diligently removed individuals reported to have passed away, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process,” Garcia said.
“Through an automated fingerprint and identification system, we have identified and removed around 21,000 cases of double and multiple registrations from the election registration board,” he added.
With the October 30 elections approaching, Garcia said Comelec is fully dedicated to facilitating a transparent and inclusive electoral process.
He assured that Comelec will conduct the upcoming elections are conducted with the highest standards of integrity and fairness.